Top 30 NFL Free Agents

John David Mercer-US Presswire

TheNFL free agency period is set to begin on March 12th and with it the a feeding frenzy will begin. All teams are set with a salary cap and on that day, teams will have a clear picture of how much they can or cannot spend and the bidding will begin.

What we see every off-season is that some of the best players in the league find new homes and big new contracts that go with them. Fans of every NFL team hopes that they can retain their favorite players on a hometown discount and bring in all the best free agents to make their team contenders. But what really happens is some teams spend like mad, bringing in lots of players, other teams are more studious with their salary cap and rather than go out and sign a ton of big names, they focus in-house on retaining their own core. There's also a third group of teams who seem to always work well under the cap, frustrating their fans leaving so much money on the table year after year.

But where will the best free agents end up? Most teams with top free agents will certainly do their very best to try and retain them, however it often comes down to a player that wants more money than the team can offer, and even if it means leaving to go play on a bad football team to get that big payday.

Here's my top 30 free agents sorted by position to make it a little easier to navigate. Most every position is represented and I break down which team is the safest bet to sign the player and who the longshot might be. Enjoy and don't forget to comment below.

Joe Flacco, Quarterback

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Joe Flacco, quarterback Baltimore Ravens

Likely landing spot-Baltimore Ravens-Flacco is going to get paid and he's going to get paid big. And it's all up to the Ravens to make it happen. If the Super Bowl MVP wants $20 million a year and 1,000lbs of Gummi Bears, that's what he will get.

Longshot-The Kansas City Chiefs have the cap to work a deal to sign him, but Flacco would be a fool to leave the Ravens.

Matt Moore, Quarterback

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Matt Moore, quarterback-Miami Dolphins

Likely landing spot-Moore is another quarterback who thinks he can start in this league, so he's going to try and find a spot where he can compete to start. put me down for the New York Jets as a real possibility because they need help

Longshot-Assuming he doesn't mind being a backup, let me toss out the Pittsburgh Steelers as a spot where he can come in and backup the starter and be on a winning team.

Rashard Mendenhall, Running Back

Likely landing spot-Mendenhall is very talented and could really be huge in the right system. And for me that system is with the Denver Broncos.

Longshot-The longshot is Mendenhall actually returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Anything is possible, but the Steelers are just so short on cap space, I can see them giving him the contract he wants.

Wes Welker, Wide Receiver

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Wes Welker, wide receiver-New England Patriots

Likely landing spot-The Patriots don't overpay for players so Welker is likely gone. Where he's land is hard to predict, but if the St. Louis Rams lose Danny Amendola they could be a serious player for Welker.

Longshot-Another good wide receiver that could find his way to the Cleveland Browns if the opportunity was there. He'd definitely fit their offense.

Andre Smith, Cincinnati Bengals

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Andre Smith, offensive tackle-Cincinnati Bengals

Likely landing spot-Smith is going to be the top free agent priority of the Bengals so I look for him to re-sign there. He's not going to command left tackle money so the Bengals should have no problems keeping him in the fold.

Longshot-The Houston Texans are in the market for an upgrade at right tackle, and have the money to make a run at Smith.

Branden Albert, Offensive Tackle

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Branden Albert, offensive tackle-Kansas City Chiefs

Likely landing spot-Chiefs head coach Andy Reid can't afford to let Albert walk, but they won't overpay him either. Still, I think Albert wants to stay in Kansas City and I think in the end it'll be Albert back in Kansas City.

Longshot-If there is a team that might overpay for Albert it's the Chicago Bears who are desperate for help at tackle.

Michael Johnson, Defensive End

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Michael Johnson, defensive end-Cincinnati Bengals

Likely landing spot-The Jacksonville Jaguars need a rush defensive end for their new defensive scheme and Johnson would be a great fit. Signing Johnson would allow them to use the no.2 pick in the 2013 NFL draft on another position of need.

Lonshot-At this point it might be a longshot for Johnson to come back to the Bengals with all the players they need to sign. Not to mention this is a franchise that doesn't give out huge contracts, so if money is an issue, Johnson is going elsewhere.

Paul Kruger, Linebacker

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Paul Kruger, linebacker-Baltimore Ravens

Likely landing spot-The Ravens are going to have to make Kruger a high priority and even if he wants a big contract, they are probably going to have to give it to him to hold onto a key player on that defense.

Longshot-If Kruger does leave, he could sign with the Cleveland Browns in the new attacking 3-4 defense as a pass rush specialist.

Sean Smith, Cornerback

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Sean Smith, cornerback-Miami Dolphins

Likely landing spot-Something tells me the Philadelphia Eagles are going to purge some salary and bring in some fresh faces on defense so I'll stick Smith in there as a cheaper alternative to who they have now.

Longshot-Don't rule out the Pittsburgh Steelers if they can find a way to get enough cap space to take a shot. He'd be a perfect fit in that defense.

William Moore-Safety

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William Moore, safety-Atlanta Falcons

Likely landing spot-Moore isn't coming back to the Falcons. He wants to test free agency which is code for sign with the highest bidder. I like the St. Louis Rams to bring him in to be that dynamic playmaker in the back of that Rams defense.

Longshot-The Dallas Cowboys need a safety badly, so don't rule him out here. Also if the Baltimore Ravens lose safety Ed Reed, they could be another target.